Guten Tag! As it’s my last post before Christmas I thought it’d be fun (educational fun… haha) to get into the Christmas spirit with a German Christmas quiz! Throughout the years the team here on the German blog have written some great articles about Christmas time in Germany. So, first of all, make yourself a cup of coffee (or Glühwein, if you fancy), sit back and have a read of these Christmassy German articles:

Now you’ve got an idea of what Germany at Christmas time is all about, it’s time to test your knowledge. Here is your German Christmas Quiz 2016! Leave your answers in the comments and I’ll let you know how many you got right! FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!

EINS.

Match these German Christmas bakes to their English names or descriptions:

Lebkuchen ——– A. Domino stones

Stollen ———– B. Vanilla crescent

Marzipankartoffeln ——- C. German gingerbread

Vanillekipferl ——– D. Cinnamon stars

Zimtsterne ———- E. Black & White Bake

Schwarz-Weiß-Gebäck ———- F. German fruit loaf with icing

Dominosteine ———- G. Marzipan potatoes

Photo by acme on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY 2.0)

ZWEI.

True or false: The Adventskranz (Advent Wreath) was originally created for orphans as a means of counting down the days to Christmas.

DREI.

Which one of these is die Stechpalme?

Is it holly? Photo by calliope on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY 2.0)

Or is it mistletoe? Photo by zeusandhera on flickr.com under a CC license (CC BY-SA 2.0)

VIER.

The Christkind brings gifts to children on December 24th. But why does the Christkind exist if Germans already have Santa Claus?

Because Germans believe their children should get double the amount of presents at Christmas time.

Because they belong to different religions; Santa Claus is a Catholic figure, while the Christkind is Protestant.

Because the Christkind is just Santa Claus in drag.

FÜNF.

True or false: Christmas Germany is celebrated on December 24th, not December 25th. You won’t see December 25th on a German advent calendar.

SECHS.

The German word ‘Dickbauch’ literally means ‘fat stomach’. But what is the German legend of Dickbauch all about?

It says those who get too bloated at Christmas must not eat until New Year.

It says those who don’t eat enough at Christmas will be visited by demons during the night.

It is a traditional drinking game played by Germans on Christmas day; whoever has the fattest stomach after dinner must drink 10 Schnaps in a row.

SIEBEN.

Which of these words means ‘Christmas tree’?

Tannenbaum

Christbaum

Weihnachtsbaum

All of the above can be used

Photo by wrobel on flickr.com under a CC license (CC by 2.0)

ACHT.

Who or what is Krampus?

A German Christmas reindeer that accompanies Santa Claus to the grotto

A demonic figure that ‘steals’ or ‘punishes’ naughty children at Christmas time

The cramp you get after eating too much Stollen

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about German Christmas time, and that you’ve had a bit of fun with the quiz! Leave your answers in the comments and I’ll let you know your score. All that’s left from me to say is ….

Dear Constanze,
I wish to thank you for all the very interesting information that has been passed on to us from you during 2016.
I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.
May God continue to shower you with his blessings.
Carmel